Australia Post has marked the start of National Cyber Security Awareness week by urging Australians to stay vigilant in their online transactions.

"With more than 10 million Australians now shopping online and Australia Post delivering the majority of these purchases, we're committed to raising awareness around cyber security so our customers can protect their private information when using their computer, mobile device or smart phone," said Australia Post's Chief Operating Officer Ewen Stafford.

"We're proud to give our employees the opportunity to subscribe to the Australian Government's Stay Smart Online Alert Service which informs internet users about recent online threats and provides solutions that help to manage risks."

Australia Post has offered the following handy hints:

Protect your computer and mobile devices

  • Use strong passwords and change them for different websites
  • Only download apps from reputable publishers and read permission requests
  • Install and update your security software and set it to scan regularly
  • Turn on automatic updates for all your software
  • Be wary of providing password, credit card and bank account details when using public computers

Protect your information

  • If you don't trust a link, don't click on it
  • Never provide your personal information, customer ID or passwords in response to any email - even if it looks legitimate (genuine emails from Australia Post do not contain any links to a payment site)
  • Never reply to an email from an unknown sender asking for money, information or offering free gifts
  • When buying online research suppliers and use safe payment methods

Protect your family

  • Block inappropriate content with an Internet Content Filter
  • Create different user accounts - for example, administrative access for parents and restricted accounts for children
  • Stop and think before you post any photos, personal details or financial information online
  • Talk with your child about staying safe online including on their smart phone or mobile device
  • Regularly check your privacy settings on social networking sites